The San Francisco 49ers' preseason got off to a poor start on Saturday. San Francisco's defense was picked apart by the Denver Broncos' backups, while the Niners' offense looked like a shell of itself due to the various injuries impacting key positions.
One of those ailing areas is at running back, which has seen recent injuries to Isaac Guerendo and Jordan James. However, things got even worse at RB during the opener, as new arrival Ameer Abdullah sustained hurt ribs that forced him out of action after a promising start (20 yards on four carries).
As has become a trend during camp, the 49ers were forced to bring in a fresh body in response to another injury, and this time it's a familiar face.
With 49ers tailbacks Isaac Guerendo (shoulder), Jordan James (finger) and Ameer Abdullah (ribs) currently out of action, the #49ers are bringing back former RB Jeff Wilson, per source. Wilson, 29, last played for SF in 2022. He worked out for the 49ers earlier this summer.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 10, 2025
49ers Bring Back RB Jeff Wilson After Latest Preseason Injury
On Sunday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reported that San Francisco is signing veteran running back Jeff Wilson Jr. The Niners previously considered a reunion with the eighth-year pro, hosting him for a workout to end July, but they signed Abdullah (who was among the group of visits) instead. However, his new injury has now opened up a shot at another run in the Bay for El Jefe.
Wilson spent his first 4.5 NFL seasons with the 49ers. Though he was often never the leading man in the backfield, he proved himself as a dependable backup who could contribute and even step up to the plate in times of need.
He showcased this in 2020, racking up 600 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground across 12 appearances, and again in 2022 (860 yards, five TDs) while splitting time between the Niners and Miami Dolphins.
Unfortunately, the wheels have fallen off the wagon since then, as the vet's recorded just 245 rushing yards and zero scores since 2023. He'll also turn 30 in November and has struggled with his health at times as well throughout his career.
That being said, coming back to his old stomping grounds could help rejuvenate the playmaker. He is incredibly comfortable in his role as a support back, which the 49ers need behind Christian McCaffrey. He also brings leadership that will be valuable to San Francisco's two young rushers in Guerendo and James, who have both just started their NFL journeys.
Wilson's arrival complicates the back end of the depth chart with Patrick Taylor Jr. and Abdullah still hoping to catch on with Kyle Shanahan's squad as well. Considering Taylor's unremarkable NFL production to this point and the latter's new injury, the familiar Wilson enters the competition with a potential edge.